Fantasy vs reality: the paintings of Leticia Banegas

I’m Leticia Isabel Banegas, a painter living is San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I am a female Honduran Artist. I am passionate about my work and I try to outdo myself with each painting I create.

I always loved painting, it was always a passion for me. But I had to have a “Real Job” so for many years painting was left aside as a hobby. In 2012 I decided to take the plunge. I had been changing jobs a lot because I got easily bored and frustrated; that made me feel guilty, sad and I felt like I was the one with a problem. It was at that point I knew I had to do something or I would become bitter. So I stoppped postponing it and started doing what I loved. It was scary at first, because I had children that depended on me, but my husband was a great support in making my decision, and in the end it was the best decision I ever made. I am so happy now, every day is a blessing for me since I paint full time.

I see my work as the portrayal of a world that exists somewhere between heaven and earth. When I paint I see these women, I see them walking like if underwater with their hair flowing in slow motion. They exist, I see them. It is a magical realm that most of us can´t see but that doesn´t mean it doesn´t exist. What inspires me is the women in my family through generations. Their stories are so rich, complex and some of them are almost surreal. I try to create a “world” populated by the magical presence of these women. I also like to work with female archetypes, representing them with my personal stamp.